Celtics vs. Nets (2/24/22): Preview, Prediction and Betting Picks

The NBA is back underway, as Nick Galaida gives betting picks and predictions for Thursday.

The NBA returns to action on Thursday evening with a seven-game slate, including a highly anticipated matchup between the surging Boston Celtics and the intriguing Brooklyn Nets.

Entering play, Boston owns the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, sitting only 4.5 games behind the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls for the number one seed.

Following an injury to Kevin Durant, and the trade of James Harden, Brooklyn has spiraled dramatically–falling all the way to the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

In this matchup, oddsmakers are anticipating a relatively easy victory for the Celtics, pricing them as current nine-point favorites.

Celtics vs. Nets Odds

Making A Case For: Boston (-9)

Boston incredibly has zero players listed on the injury report ahead of tip-off on Thursday.

As this group has seen their roster get healthier, they have also seen their key performance indicators improve tremendously.

Since January 8th, Boston has won 16 of 21 games, which leads the NBA in that span with a +14.4 Net Rating. The Celtics also own the league’s best defensive efficiency during that stretch of action, allowing only 99.8 points per 100 possessions.

Boston was 5.7 points better per-100 possessions during this time period than the Phoenix Suns, who rank 2nd in the NBA in Net Rating since Jan. 8th. The Miami Heat rank 2nd in defensive efficiency in that span, allowing 106.8 points per-100 possessions.

Simply put, the Celtics have been unquestionably the best team in basketball over the last month and a half of action, and their success stems largely from their unrivaled commitment to getting stops on a consistent basis.

Making A Case For: Brooklyn (+9)

Contrary to Boston, who has nobody listed on the injury report ahead of this game, Brooklyn will be without Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving.

Per Cleaning the Glass, when the Nets have been without Durant, Irving and Harden this season, this group ranks in only the 14th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 29th percentile in defensive efficiency.

Since Durant’s last game, on January 15th, Brooklyn is only 4-13 overall. Additionally, the Nets ranks 25th Net Rating, having been outscored by 6.3 points per 100 possessions.

The recent additions of Seth Curry and Andre Drummond have helped this group play more competitive basketball in recent games, but Brooklyn has not experienced a victory against an opponent with a winning record since Durant has been on the sidelines.

Picks and Prediction

Against The Spread

Tonight’s battle features the Celtics, arguably the hottest team in the NBA, and the Nets, the league’s most decimated roster.

Across Boston’s last 21 games, not only have the Celtics collected wins, they have obliterated their opponents, winning 11 times by double-digits.

Boston’s fantastic stretch of basketball includes a 53-point win against the Sacramento Kings and a 48-point win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Per EdgHouse, Brooklyn is only 6-11 ATS across its last 17 contests, and have suffered nine defeats by double-digits. Boston could turn this game into a blowout, similar to when these two teams met on February 8th–a game in which the Celtics emerged victorious by a final score of 126-91.

• Free NBA Betting Pick: Celtics (-9), DraftKings Sportsbook

Game Total

If looking for action on the total, the two meetings between the Nets and Celtics during the first half of the campaign averaged 98.00 possessions per contest.

The first matchup totaled 227 points, while the most recent meeting totaled 217.

These two results have bettors understandably leaning towards the over at the current market price, but the absence of so many offensive pieces for the Nets could lead to a lower-scoring affair than many people are expecting. Make it a small play, but take the under here.

• Free NBA Betting Pick: Under 214